"As I already told you guys, I didn't get a good look at it," Said Azel massaging his head, "But it was a pitch black, enormous bird with an elongated beak."
The blond woman with the clipboard nodded, and then much to Azel's annoyance asked, "Yes, but did you see how fast it was? Can you give an approximation to its wing span? Why didn't it attack you, is it perhaps peaceful?"
Resisting the urge to slam his head onto the wooden table, Azel took in a deep breath and answered all three questions at once, "I don't know."
The woman, who was technically a knight of the archivists despite obviously not having been in any sort of combat in her life, looked at Azel dubiously, "But you are sure it is a behemoth?"
Azel nodded, his face quickly having lost it's usual deadpan. Although lacking empathy for others, the zombie was doing a great job pitying himself.
Colwyn who had been quietly leaning next to the door of "Lady" Alexandria's office finally interjected towards the brutal questioning of the woman. "Azel is a trusted source, Alexandria, I recommend listening to him very seriously."
Alexandria suddenly paled, "I meant nothing towards you, Sir Colwyn, but you are surely aware of the spell cast over the island. For a behemoth-ranked monster to just stumble in... The idea is nonsensical."
"If it was an expected situation I wouldn't have bothered reporting it." Sneered Colwyn, who was apparently growing just as frustrated as Azel. "Submit the report as you would any other."
Nodding, the archivist quickly begun organizing the various documents Azel had filled out and carefully placed them in a folder. Taking the sudden change in pace as a sign, Azel stood up to leave.
As Azel reached the door, Alexandria's voice stopped him, "Wait, before you go, can you tell us the exact location where you saw this bird?"
Azel turned to face the woman, his expression weary. "As I said, along the mountains just past the northern forest. I was climbing down the side of one of the cliffs when I saw it."
Alexandria nodded and jotted down the information. "Thank you, Azel. We'll send a scouting party to investigate."
Colwyn moved to open the door for Azel, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Get some rest. You've done enough for today."
<---o--->
Almost nodding off, Noah caught himself as Lady Rio entered the room. She wore her standard Templar uniform, its white fabric clashing sharply with her black hair.
"Lady Rio!" called Noah, his energy instantly replenishing. "I was actually struggling with this document here. Someone made a report of a behemoth ranked mana-beast..."
Sitting behind her desk with a controlled smile, Rio asked, "What about it? Just dispatch a seeker knight to scout it out."
Noah paused, not quite sure on how to continue, "Well, you see, The creature was supposedly sighted in the northern mountains, here on this island."
"Oh." Said the experienced templar, seemingly shocked despite the calm smile, "That's not good at all, is it?"
Noah nodded in solidarity. The ancient spell set on the Sunchaser island typically hid it's presence from any monster that may have tried stumbling in from the void sea, so it was supposed to be impossible for a non native monster from to be found here on the island.
Suddenly smiling, Rio chuckled as she snatched the document from Noah's hands. "I think I know just the knight who will investigate this. It's about time Colwyn went out on another mission, don't you agree, Noah?"
Nodding, the assistant eagerly agreed, "Yes, Lady Rio! Sir Colwyn would be the perfect choice for something like this. His experience would ensure the mission's success."
Rio leaned back in her chair, scanning the document with an air of nonchalance. "Colwyn hasn't had much fieldwork recently. It'll be good to remind everyone why he holds the rank he does. Besides," she added with a sly smile, "he enjoys a good challenge, doesn't he?"
Noah chuckled nervously. "That he does, my lady. Shall I notify him immediately?"
Rio waved her hand dismissively. "No need to rush. Let him rest for now; he's just finished handling the recent tomb of Aeolus report. We'll officially assign the task at dawn. In the meantime, prepare the necessary supplies and gather a small team to accompany him. We'll need this done quietly and efficiently—no need to alarm the rest of the island."
Noah nodded quickly, already scribbling down her instructions. "Understood, my lady. I'll handle the arrangements."
As Noah hurried out of the room, Rio's smile faded, replaced by a contemplative frown. She tapped the document against her desk, her thoughts racing. A behemoth-ranked mana beast appearing on the island wasn't just a threat; it was an anomaly, one that threatened the stability of everything the Sunchaser's had worked to maintain.
Her gaze drifted to the window, where the moon cast its pale light over the tranquil island. For all its beauty and supposed security, she knew better than anyone that their sanctuary wasn't as impenetrable as it seemed.
With a resigned sigh, she set the document down and steepled her fingers. "Here's your chance, Colwyn, prove that you're still someone who can sit at the adult table."
Closing her eyes, Rio reflected on the past for the first time in a long while. What she had done to Colwyn certainly gave him more than enough reason to hate her, but it was all necessary. It had to be.
Maybe a decade ago, when she and Colwyn were both eighteen was when they met for the first time. Rio was a squire under templar Oz, although at the time he was just called the thorn knight. Colwyn was learning under Oz's twin sister, the scorch knight Netra.
After all it was tough to forget the person Colwyn had once been, Rio remembered how he had lacked the strength he now has, and was still just as arrogant.